Haslingden have received a helping hand from a cricket legend as they prepare for Sunday’s Worsley Cup final against Burnley.

Dennis Lillee was Haslingden’s professional in 1971 and has kept in touch with many of his old friends at Bentgate.

Now 64, the legendary fast bowler is back in the UK for this summer’s Ashes and he took the opportunity to return to Haslingden and help out the new generation, proving instrumental in youngster Jack Sudworth’s return from injury.

A right-arm, fast-medium bowler, Sudworth has repeatedly had problems with his back and his side since making his first-team debut in 2008.

The teenager, who turns 20 next month, has been struggling again over the last month but after some words of wisdom from Lillee, he returned to the side to take 3-26 in Sunday’s abandoned match against Bacup.

“We were very fortunate that Dennis Lillee was in town,” said captain Graham Knowles. “He came down to give some tips to the lads on a Saturday morning, and straight away he said to Jack ‘this is the problem with your bowling action and that’s why you’re getting problems with your back’.

“It took him two minutes to see it. I’ve been playing the game for 30 years and I didn’t know how to help Jack out!

“Right away Jack could feel a massive difference and he’s been working on that while he’s been rested. He feels fit and strong now and hopefully, moving forward, this problem won’t affect Jack any longer.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that somebody of Dennis’ stature was happy to come along and have a quick word with the boys, so we’ve been lucky in that respect.”

Lillee actually stayed with Knowles’ grandma in St Anne’s before stopping with his former Haslingden team-mate Malcolm Grindrod. Knowles’ dad Bryan was also a member of the 1971 team.

Lillee made his Test debut against England that January and went on to take 355 wickets in 70 Tests for Australia.

“Dennis was 21 when he first came over and my grandma and grandad took him under their wing for the summer,” Knowles explained. “He’s been a close family friend ever since.

“I was in Perth in 2004, we spent a bit of time together and I did some building work for him. He’s always been good to the people of Haslingden and is always approachable.

“My grandma also visited Australia and stayed with Dennis. That’s one of the great things about the Lancashire League – the people you get to play with and against.

“You make friendships with people who are world-class cricketers. Mike Whitney came back the other week, as does Geoff Lawson whenever he’s back in the country. So do the other old professionals around the league.

“The young kids nowadays might not get to form those friendships, though, because we can’t get world-class players to come and play anymore. Michael Clarke and Chris Cairns could perhaps be the last ones.”

Sudworth’s 10-over spell against Bacup proved his fitness in time for the Worsley Cup final, which will be hosted by Burnley.

“It was important that Jack got some overs under his belt,” said Knowles.

“And not only did he bowl without any problems but he bowled very well, so that bodes well for this weekend.”

It is Haslingden’s first final since 2004 and Knowles’ fourth in total. Haslingden’s last Worsley Cup win was in 1997, which was their third win in six years.

“It’s fantastic for the young lads because some cricketers can play their whole career and not play in a Cup final,” Knowles added.

“And if they get that winning feeling they’ll strive to do it again and again.

“We just hope we get the weather the Cup final deserves and we can give a good account of ourselves because it’s going to be a tough game.

“The two sides are evenly matched so it should be a cracker.

“They’re at home but we’ll have some good support and all we have to do now is go and play cricket – we don’t have to worry about putting tents up and things like that.”